Thursday, November 28, 2013

American Library Association. 2011. c758p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8389-1023-8. $75.00.
Even though this book was published several years ago and many of its entries may be in need of updating because they reference resources that are out-of-print and/or superseded by later editions, this publication still may be of some value to librarians and/or researchers, who are attempting to build nearly comprehensive medical and health science reference collections and/or who are doing in-depth research. Covering clinical and consumer health information in thirteen chapters that are organized by type of publication (ex. bibliography, biography, classification, dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, guides, handbooks, histories, indexes; abstract journals, databases, internet resources, quotations, statistics, treatises, etc.), it provides a critically- selected, annotated list of print and electronic, biomedical- and health- related reference resources, including Internet websites and digital image collections. Emphasizing U.S. publications but including materials published in other countries, it covers all types of resources in the fields of bioethics, consumer health, dentistry, health care, international and global health, medical jurisprudence, medicine, nursing, nutrition, pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences, psychiatry, public health, and toxicology. Each entry includes a bibliographic citation, the Dewey and Library of Congress classification numbers, and a detailed annotation. Unfortunately, entries lack list prices or pricing information, which is useful to librarians who need to compare and purchase these publications. Also many entries are cross-posted word-for-word in different sections and/or chapters, which makes reading this book from cover-to-cover an exercise in diligence since this book’s contents may be repetitive. Of interest to students, educators, practicing librarians, and others, this annotated, classified bibliography-- while in need of updating in the not-so-distant future, if it is to remain useful and pertinent-- may be recommended for public, academic, and special library book collections. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com

Saturday, October 20, 2012

AuthorHouse. 2012. c115p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-47721-269-1. $23.99. ISBN 978-1-4772-1270-7. $14.95. ebook (Amazon Kindle). B009JCP7Z8. $3.99.
In this publication, Thomas Z. Lajos recounts the tragic and never-before-told personal story of his uncle, Dr. Ivan Lajos (1906-1949), whom he knew while growing up in war-ravaged and Soviet-controlled Hungary. Born in the historic city of Pécs, Dr. Ivan Lajos attended the University of Pécs Law School, from which he graduated with distinction. In 1939, he wrote and published in multiple languages a political tract known as The Grey Book, which became internationally renowned for suggesting that Germany would lose World War II and Hungary should remain neutral. In March 1944, with other prominent Hungarian political figures, Dr. Ivan Lajos was taken by the Germans to the German concentration camp Mauthausen in Austria. Following Germany’s defeat by the Allies, he returned to Hungary, where he remained active politically. As the Iron Curtain descended upon Eastern Europe and Hungary increasingly became controlled by the Soviets, Dr. Ivan Lajos disappeared. Unbeknownst to his family members, Dr. Ivan Lajos was taken, imprisoned, arrested, interrogated, and wrongfully convicted of various crimes by the Soviets. The Soviets deported him to the remote Karlag section of the Gulag in Kazakhstan, where he began to serve a fifteen-year, hard labor sentence but died two years later. In this well-written and professionally-presented book, including photographs, appendices, timelines, bibliographies, and an index, the author personally tells the heartbreaking, gripping, and compelling saga of Dr. Ivan Lajos, one of Hungary’s unknown heroes, who while attempting to free his country from its oppressors, fell victim to two systems of tyranny. Raising many unanswered questions, it will be of significant interest to students, historians, and others. This publication is very highly recommended for many readers and libraries. Review copy. Availability:
Amazon, AuthorHouse, Barnes & Noble.com

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Bloomsbury Academic. 2011. c256p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-84966-343-4. $75.00. Kindle Edition. B00567BC1I $64.99.
In this book, which the author describes as comprising an “informal IP trilogy” (p. 198), Koepsell (J. D. & Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo; Assistant Professor, Philosophy, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands; Senior Research Fellow, 3TU Centre for Ethics and Technology), an attorney, philosopher, educator, and the author of several books, including Who Owns You and The Ontology of Cyberspace, argues that nanowares (i.e. the ideas and products arising from nanotechnology) demand new approaches to scientific discovery, innovation, and intellectual property (IP). Focusing upon the nexus of science, technology, ethics, and public policy, the author applies ideas of social philosophy to the nanoparticle world. In the first four of nine chapters, Koepsell examines how the academic, government, legal, scientific, and technological communities deal with the development of converging technologies in nanowares. In response to his observations that many of the current models, including intellectual property laws, are becoming or have become obsolete, in the remaining five chapters, he then suggests alternative paradigms. Koepsell posits that current intellectual property laws are artificial, flawed, harmful, illogical, inadequate, inefficient, unethical, and unnecessary. To spark innovation and further develop nanotechnology and nanowares, the author makes the case for rejecting current intellectual property laws in favor of new, more open schemes that consider the unique natures of nanotechnology and nanowares as well as maximize innovation, promote efficiencies, and protect innovators. He proposes a new theory of artifacts, based upon the notion of a “commons by necessity,” that protects man-made expressions without depending upon artificial, illogical, and unjust distinctions. Koepsell further advocates contractual models and those arising from free markets. Well-written, reasonably effectively-presented, given the complexity of its subject matters, and expertly-argued by a scholar, who focuses on interdisciplinary ethical, legal, philosophical, and technological issues, this book may presume that readers possess some foundational knowledge of ethics, intellectual property laws, philosophy, and/or new technologies, as well as of the author’s previous writings. It is highly recommended for upper level university students, researchers, scholars, scientists, and some professionals. This ambitious, original, and provocative, interdisciplinary publication, presenting a controversial approach to the current status quo in the nanoparticle world, belongs in research-oriented library collections found mostly in academic and special libraries. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com

Monday, January 16, 2012

Focusing on print and electronic information resources that are fundamental to library services in economics and business, the content of this classified annotated bibliography is drawn from the American Library Association’s online Guide to Reference. Eight topical chapters showcase all types of economics and business information resources, covering Basic Industry Information, Company Information, Economic Conditions and World Trade, Functional Areas of Business, General Works, Occupations and Careers, Regional Economic Sources, and Specialized Industry Information. Each chapter is subdivided into multiple, alphabetically-arranged subcategories under which more than 690 print and electronic information resources alphabetically are presented. Entries feature abstracting services, atlases, bibliographies, databases, dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, guides, handbooks, journals, indexes, internet websites, periodicals, and other types of library reference materials. Each entry describes the resource’s contents as well as sets forth its pertinent bibliographic information, such as its author(s), title, publisher, date of publication, Library of Congress and/or Dewey Decimal Classification number(s), International Standard Book or Serial Number, and Internet website. Unfortunately, the resources’ prices or costs are not noted. Compiled in North America, for use primarily in North American libraries, this reference guide will be of considerable interest to librarians, independent researchers, publishers, book dealers, business organizations, and other entities, searching for information on accounting, advertising, banking, business law, companies, economic conditions, electronic commerce, corporate officials, entrepreneurship, finance, investments, management, management information systems, marketing, occupations, specific industries, statistics, taxation, world trade, and other topics. Useful and valuable to readers, who may read it from cover-to-cover and/or peruse it by chapter, subcategory, and/or title, this publication could be improved if its topical classification scheme were modified and/or condensed to eliminate duplicate entries. With over 690 information resources featured in 1380 entries, resource entries are duplicated on average at least twice with the median being seven times. In addition to providing a title index, this guide should include a subject index and appendices of vendors and publishers with their ordering addresses. Part of the ALA Guide to Reference series, this “usably comprehensive” but “not exhaustive” (Preface, pp. xiii-xiv), authoritative repertory of mostly, recently-published, English-language, reference works is highly recommended for large public, academic, and special libraries in North America and elsewhere. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com

For nearly two centuries, afternoon tea has been a tradition in countries associated with the British Empire. (p. 2) Individuals typically “took” afternoon tea or “low tea” between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.. The light meal involved drinking tea and eating a snack consisting of sandwiches, breads, pastries, and cakes. Today teatime continues by means of informal breaks from work (ex. “coffee” breaks) and more formal afternoon teas usually taken in hotels, cafés, and teashops. (p. 10; Wikipedia contributors. "Tea (meal)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 13 Aug. 2011. Web. 21 Aug. 2011.) In this beautifully- designed and presented book, which is intended for tea enthusiasts, individuals who are interested in hosting an afternoon tea, and those who are invited to tea (p. 5), Shafer, an interior designer, author, lecturer, tour guide, and former proprietor of Royal Tea Impressions, a teashop once located in the historic river towns of St. Charles and Geneva, Illinois (p. 5; back cover), guides readers through a proper afternoon tea fit for royalty. Helping readers prepare for an afternoon tea, which according to the author, requires time, effort, and atmosphere (p. 4), Shafer covers the subject in thirteen chapters, setting forth information about tea history, tea varieties, brewing tea, planning teas, invitations, menus, courses, appropriate venues, table settings, customs, manners, and recipes. While the first half of her book addresses preparations, the second part presents more than 50 recipes for tea savories (i.e. tea sandwiches), tea breads, tea cakes, and beverages. Here you will find step- by- step instructions for making traditional and non- traditional teatime fare, not limited to cucumber, salmon, ham, and egg salad sandwiches as well as scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, English shortbread, chocolate strawberries, lemon drop cookies, raspberry jam cookies, chocolate lady fingers, English trifle, chocolate pound cake, two tone cheese cake, fresh flower cake, liquid sugar, black ice tea, fruit sparkler, and citrus wine cooler. Filled with interesting and useful background information, advice, tips, quotes by famous authors and poets, recipes, and much more, this book will assist in enabling you to host a formal afternoon tea “fit for a queen” (p. 4), with the confidence, “grace,” and “style” that you will need to be successful. Artwork and engraved designs by Anna Griffin, with more than thirty color photographs by award- winning photographer, Thom Rouse (Professional Photographers of America Master of Photography degree; Master of Electronic Imaging degree, Master Craftsman degree; recipient of Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Photographer of the Year Awards, PPA; recipient, Illinois Photographer of the Year), further instruct and delight. Of interest to tea lovers, tea aficionados, and others, this book is recommended for many public libraries, even though it lacks a selected bibliography, back- of- the book index, glossary, and appendices, all of which would have been helpful to many readers. On a personal note: If you never have experienced a formal afternoon tea, I highly encourage you to do so. Your memories of afternoon tea will last a lifetime. Teas make great gifts and are excellent ways to celebrate the achievements of individuals or commemorate special occasions such as birthdays, engagements, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, and retirements. Many hotels and cultural institutions in the United States and Europe offer teas. For a list of hotels and institutions worldwide serving tea, try this Internet resource: Tea Guide. Always telephone in advance to verify locations, times, and other pertinent information. Reservations and appropriate attire may be required. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit Dorrance Bookstore to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon, Dorrance Bookstore

While new media oftentimes provide the fastest and most effective means whereby professionals may build their practices and reach audiences, many professional service firms have been hesitant to change their corporate marketing strategies and integrate social media into them. Golden (Owner, Golden Practices Inc.; Senior Fellow, VeraSage Institute), a recognized, practice management advisor and marketing specialist in social media use and strategy, particularly in the Certified Public Accountant field, has written an accessible, comprehensive guidebook to social media for professionals and their firms with an emphasis on the accounting and legal industries. She sets forth a one- stop, reference handbook that can be read from cover- to- cover or by chapter, as needed. Nicely- organized and presented, this book covers the what, why, how, and more of social media. In fourteen chapters, the author addresses various topics as they relate to social media, professionals, and their firms, including the basics, communication policies and guidelines, business purpose, integration, strategies, marketing tactics, case studies, tools such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and web blogs, social web writing and etiquette, as well as best practices. Filled with lessons, tips, tools, how- to information, guidance, practical approaches, and sound advice, this invaluable manual is likely to serve the needs of individuals and entities seeking to establish, develop, and maximize effective online presences, even though parts of it quickly may become outdated or obsolete due to changing institutional environments and/or evolving and/or emerging technologies. Sufficiently well- documented, with endnotes, a glossary, and a back- of- the book index, this book is highly recommended for students, professionals, and others. It belongs in large public, academic, and special libraries. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Google Books

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Fruits are an important part of our diets. Everyone has his or her favorite fruit. Apples contain many nutrients and vitamins and come in many tasty varieties. Many Americans would agree that apples are the unofficial “national” fruit. In this brief publication that purports to present “everything you ever wanted to know about apples” (p. v), Hargreaves (Ph.D., Education, Capella University, expected 2012; Master of Education, American InterContinental University; Bachelor of Business Administration, American InterContinental University; owner of Hargreaves Gifts), a retired Navy Chief Culinary Specialist with more than thirty years work experience in the hospitality industry, attempts to set forth the “whole story” about apples. Not trying to create a traditional cookbook (p. v), Hargreaves mainly tells the story of apples from his personal perspective and experiences. In chapters one and two, he describes the history of apples and their many varieties, while in chapter three, the author discusses the life of apples-- how they are grown, harvested, and sold. Throughout his text, but mostly in chapters one and two, Hargreaves includes recipes, stories, and personal thoughts about apples and his life. Including more than thirty recipes, using apples as an ingredient, as well as a selected bibliography, this easy- to- read, enjoyable publication will be of use and interest to mostly general readers. Even though it contains typological and grammatical errors as well as lacks a table of contents, back- of- the- book index, and reproductions, all of which would have enhanced its purpose, this book may be recommended for some public libraries as a secondary resource. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit Dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon, Rose Dog Bookstore, Google ebookstore

ALA Guide to Medical & Health Sciences Reference by the American Library Association

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Fallen to Tyranny by Thomas Z. Lajos

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If you would like more information about my background or this blog and its contents, please email me. Also, if you would like me to review your book(s) or publication(s), please email. This blog and its contents are copyrighted by me and may not be reprinted, reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold, visited, or otherwise used in whole or part without my expressed written permission. Unless otherwise noted on this website, free review copies of publications were given to me by authors, publishers, their representatives, agents, or proxies. Thanks for your attention and consideration.